AA Million Miler Doesn’t Reward Long Term Loyalty... Learn From My Mistake
Aug 20, 2019, 3:10 pm
#136
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: MAD
Programs: AA EXP/CK 8 MILLION MILES, DL, UA MILLION MILER, MARRIOTT TITANIUM, HILTON DIAMOND, HERTZ PRESIDENTS
Posts: 57
Yeah, i think we're saying the same thing. It's just that flying an additional SIX MILLION MILES and "not noticing" that you're not getting anything new in the way of recognition/status or whatever beyond the standard SWU's, seems kind of late to be complaining at that point.
Aug 20, 2019, 7:02 pm
#137
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, UA *S, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Exp, IHG Plat, National EE, Sixt Plat
Posts: 648
But that would require AA to care. Or at least require them to copy someone other than DL.
Aug 27, 2019, 6:04 am
#138
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta Diamond Medallion& 2 Million Miler; Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 453
With Delta, I'm at 1.9 million. I'm currently Diamond status. I've been a 7 year Diamond member. Next year will be my 8th -- and last -- year as Diamond with Delta. And when my Diamond membership ends in January of 2021 (I will not have reached 2.0 million by then) I'm not showing any allegiance to them whatsoever. Beginning Feb of 2021, I will fly with whoever has the best price. If all things are even, then yes, Delta will of course win because I want to eventually get to 2 million. Lifetime Gold is at Delta's 2 million plateau and it comes with several perks that I value:
1. pick Comfort + seats 3 days before departure;
2. Priority baggage
3. Priority Airport lines
4. Entry into SkyTeam partner lounges internationally.
But after Jan of 2021, whoever has the best first class price wins. The reason i enjoyed being elite status with Delta, 8 years ago, was that there was a large inventory of upgradable seats for domestic flights. That's not longer the case, as Delta has chosen to monetize them in every way possible. Now the inventory is very slim -- at best. They're no longer showing me any loyalty so i'm not gonna show them any loyalty.
ATL
1. pick Comfort + seats 3 days before departure;
2. Priority baggage
3. Priority Airport lines
4. Entry into SkyTeam partner lounges internationally.
But after Jan of 2021, whoever has the best first class price wins. The reason i enjoyed being elite status with Delta, 8 years ago, was that there was a large inventory of upgradable seats for domestic flights. That's not longer the case, as Delta has chosen to monetize them in every way possible. Now the inventory is very slim -- at best. They're no longer showing me any loyalty so i'm not gonna show them any loyalty.
ATL
Aug 27, 2019, 7:21 am
#139
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Paris & Scotland (Laird), "Suite on the World"
Programs: Hertz platinum, Bonvoy titanium , Delta flying colonel/platinum/MM, retired old men board member
Posts: 592
OP should switch to Delta. Increasing value for every million miles eg for 5 
elta’s top status level, Diamond Medallion, offers the airline’s million milers a Tiffany & Co. gift certificate each time they hit their next million mile landmark and the ability to gift Gold Medallion status to a family member or friend.
elta’s top status level, Diamond Medallion, offers the airline’s million milers a Tiffany & Co. gift certificate each time they hit their next million mile landmark and the ability to gift Gold Medallion status to a family member or friend.
Aug 27, 2019, 7:38 am
#140
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC-BNA
Programs: Lifetime Plat/4mm miles, Starwood, HiltonHonors
Posts: 657
Exactly after 2 mm (as yes before 2011 it was far easier to get there) you get Lifetime PLT. That means a lifetime of OW lounge membership when traveling International, free MCE, Group 3 boarding (usually one of the first to walk into Y and find storage for bags at your seat), potential upgrades at T-48, jumping the que if you need to call Customer Service. As as Lifetime PLT I consider this a very good deal. Due to health reasons in 2017 and 2018
I fell out of EXP and Lifetime PLT has been a lifesaver.
Sounds like the OP is pissed off at life because of changes he's no longer CK. I'd say get over it.
I fell out of EXP and Lifetime PLT has been a lifesaver.
Sounds like the OP is pissed off at life because of changes he's no longer CK. I'd say get over it.
Sep 4, 2019, 4:06 am
#141
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: MAD
Programs: AA EXP/CK 8 MILLION MILES, DL, UA MILLION MILER, MARRIOTT TITANIUM, HILTON DIAMOND, HERTZ PRESIDENTS
Posts: 57
With Delta, I'm at 1.9 million. I'm currently Diamond status. I've been a 7 year Diamond member. Next year will be my 8th -- and last -- year as Diamond with Delta. And when my Diamond membership ends in January of 2021 (I will not have reached 2.0 million by then) I'm not showing any allegiance to them whatsoever. Beginning Feb of 2021, I will fly with whoever has the best price. If all things are even, then yes, Delta will of course win because I want to eventually get to 2 million. Lifetime Gold is at Delta's 2 million plateau and it comes with several perks that I value:
1. pick Comfort + seats 3 days before departure;
2. Priority baggage
3. Priority Airport lines
4. Entry into SkyTeam partner lounges internationally.
But after Jan of 2021, whoever has the best first class price wins. The reason i enjoyed being elite status with Delta, 8 years ago, was that there was a large inventory of upgradable seats for domestic flights. That's not longer the case, as Delta has chosen to monetize them in every way possible. Now the inventory is very slim -- at best. They're no longer showing me any loyalty so i'm not gonna show them any loyalty.
ATL
1. pick Comfort + seats 3 days before departure;
2. Priority baggage
3. Priority Airport lines
4. Entry into SkyTeam partner lounges internationally.
But after Jan of 2021, whoever has the best first class price wins. The reason i enjoyed being elite status with Delta, 8 years ago, was that there was a large inventory of upgradable seats for domestic flights. That's not longer the case, as Delta has chosen to monetize them in every way possible. Now the inventory is very slim -- at best. They're no longer showing me any loyalty so i'm not gonna show them any loyalty.
ATL
Sep 4, 2019, 4:13 am
#142
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: MAD
Programs: AA EXP/CK 8 MILLION MILES, DL, UA MILLION MILER, MARRIOTT TITANIUM, HILTON DIAMOND, HERTZ PRESIDENTS
Posts: 57
OP should switch to Delta. Increasing value for every million miles eg for 5 elta’s top status level, Diamond Medallion, offers the airline’s million milers a Tiffany & Co. gift certificate each time they hit their next million mile landmark and the ability to gift Gold Medallion status to a family member or friend.
elta’s top status level, Diamond Medallion, offers the airline’s million milers a Tiffany & Co. gift certificate each time they hit their next million mile landmark and the ability to gift Gold Medallion status to a family member or friend.
Sep 6, 2019, 4:54 am
#143
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX now DUS
Programs: AA LT Plat, IHG Plat., former LH HON (now Silver), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 774
Exactly after 2 mm (as yes before 2011 it was far easier to get there) you get Lifetime PLT. That means a lifetime of OW lounge membership when traveling International, free MCE, Group 3 boarding (usually one of the first to walk into Y and find storage for bags at your seat), potential upgrades at T-48, jumping the que if you need to call Customer Service. As as Lifetime PLT I consider this a very good deal. Due to health reasons in 2017 and 2018
I fell out of EXP and Lifetime PLT has been a lifesaver.
Sounds like the OP is pissed off at life because of changes he's no longer CK. I'd say get over it.
I fell out of EXP and Lifetime PLT has been a lifesaver.
Sounds like the OP is pissed off at life because of changes he's no longer CK. I'd say get over it.
AA's Lifetime Platinum kicked in when I gave up my travelling job and moved to Europe. It is a true blessing to have this benefit. Lounge access with IB and JJ and priority boarding - I am grateful to have this now.
Nov 10, 2019, 2:59 pm
#144
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: MAD
Programs: AA EXP/CK 8 MILLION MILES, DL, UA MILLION MILER, MARRIOTT TITANIUM, HILTON DIAMOND, HERTZ PRESIDENTS
Posts: 57
I dunno, seems pretty helpful: if you travel a lot now (enough to likely exceed 3+M miles), it may be worth considering long-term options other than AA since their lifetime program is not as good as some competitors'.
I'm pretty sure AA doesn't advertise that on their site, and the fact that they tell you in advance that they limit to lifetime Platinum doesn't mean that we shouldn't learn from OP and pick another program that provides better long-term benefits for people who expect to fly several millions of miles on premium fares.
I'm pretty sure AA doesn't advertise that on their site, and the fact that they tell you in advance that they limit to lifetime Platinum doesn't mean that we shouldn't learn from OP and pick another program that provides better long-term benefits for people who expect to fly several millions of miles on premium fares.
Nov 10, 2019, 5:50 pm
#146
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Nov 10, 2019, 10:46 pm
#147
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,082
Nov 11, 2019, 8:34 am
#150
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Location: MAD
Programs: AA EXP/CK 8 MILLION MILES, DL, UA MILLION MILER, MARRIOTT TITANIUM, HILTON DIAMOND, HERTZ PRESIDENTS
Posts: 57
They gave CK this year to a friend who flies little but is responsible for booking lots of cargo on AA... So I would say yess! Very important revenue source for AA!